Wion Ground Report From NSO Headquarters In Tel Aviv.

Gravitas: WION unmasks NSO Group, Israeli firm behind controversial WhatsApp snoop row

A brief look at Israel's thriving hacking industry

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - November 5th, 2019

WION investigates NSO Group, which owns 'Pegasus' spyware that hacked WhatsApp. Watch video to know more.

WION investigates NSO Group, which owns 'Pegasus' spyware that hacked WhatsApp

Facebook&nbsp;Inc on Monday unveiled a new logo for the company to distinguish it from its apps and&nbsp;to mark the company expanding beyond online social networking to messaging, photo-sharing, virtual reality and even wallets for digital currency.

The new branding, basically the company name in crisp lettering, will be stamped on its "family" of offerings including Messinger, Instagram, Oculus, Workplace, Portal and Calibra, according to chief marketing officer Antonio Lucio.

The social media company said it would start using the new brand within its products and marketing materials and would update the&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;for Business website over the coming weeks.&nbsp;

In June, the company began including "from&nbsp;Facebook" within its apps that includes Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp.

Facebook Inc on Monday unveiled a new logo for the company to distinguish it from its apps and to mark the company expanding beyond online social networking to messaging, photo-sharing, virtual reality and even wallets for digital currency.

Facebook Inc on Monday unveiled a new logo for the company to distinguish it from its apps and to mark the company expanding beyond online social networking to messaging, photo-sharing, virtual reality and even wallets for digital currency. The new branding, basically the company name in crisp lettering, will be stamped on its "family" of offerings including Messinger, Instagram, Oculus, Workplace, Portal and Calibra, according to chief marketing officer Antonio Lucio. The social media company said it would start using the new brand within its products and marketing materials and would update the Facebook for Business website over the coming weeks. In June, the company began including "from Facebook" within its apps that includes Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp.

Facebook launches new company logo

The recent <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/exiled-satirist-sues-saudi-arabia-govt-for-surveillance-using-nsos-pegasus-spyware-259971">WhatsApp hacking spree</a> was carried out using a very powerful software called Pegasus, a product of the Israeli-based NSO group. Many journalists, activists and diplomats were caught off guard by the Spygate scandal.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The software labelled as a weapon can access anyone's mobile phone. As per the company, the software was created to tackle terrorist organisations and organised crime.

WION's West Asia chief, Daniele Pagani decodes the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/name-board-of-whatsapp-snoopgate-firm-nso-goes-missing-office-shifted-to-undisclosed-location-259800">Pegasus software </a>which can virtually access anything on your smartphone.

Page-16 of the user manual of Pegasus which was leaked recently on the internet describes what kind of data Pegasus can access; the answer is "anything" be it your photos, browser history, calendar records, social media, even phone calls.

<a href="http://cms.wionews.com/photos/a-look-at-israels-thriving-hacking-industry-260021">In pics: A brief look at Israel's thriving hacking industry</a>

If this isn't scary enough, the Pegasus can monitor your location as well and record you via the phone's microphone.

It can also access snapshots from the phone's camera and even capture the screen.

Page-nine of the document lists out the benefits of Pegasus.

Watch: WION breaks down how Pegasus broke into WhatsApp

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Hackers can get unlimited access to a target's mobile devices.

They can intercept calls and data while tracking specific applications like Skype, Whatsapp, Viber, Facebook and even the Blackberry messenger.

Pegasus is the ultimate cyber-surveillance tool as it can extract data and information without the victims even realising that they have been hacked.

The Pegasus user manual proudly proclaims on page-10 that the spyware doesn't leave a trace on a device as it can self destruct to escape detection.

Here is how it looks on the other side.

If you are using Pegasus to spy on someone these are the tools that are available to you.

All stolen data is organised neatly into a calendar styled preview.

The hackers can create alerts to track certain activity and can also even choose to view any specific activities, like messages, location information or emails.

There is a call log too. Once a victim is hacked, their phone calls can be monitored. There is an option to playback specific conversations.

There is a dashboard to track location activity as well.

A victim's movements are tracked by taking control of the GPS on the phone it is represented on the map with location markers.

The recent WhatsApp hacking spree was carried out using a very powerful software called Pegasus, a product of the Israeli-based NSO group. Many journalists, activists and diplomats were caught off guard by the Spygate scandal.

The recent WhatsApp hacking spree was carried out using a very powerful software called Pegasus, a product of the Israeli-based NSO group. Many journalists, activists and diplomats were caught off guard by the Spygate scandal. The software labelled as a weapon can access anyone's mobile phone. As per the company, the software was created to tackle terrorist organisations and organised crime. WION's West Asia chief, Daniele Pagani decodes the Pegasus software which can virtually access anything on your smartphone. Page-16 of the user manual of Pegasus which was leaked recently on the internet describes what kind of data Pegasus can access; the answer is "anything" be it your photos, browser history, calendar records, social media, even phone calls. In pics: A brief look at Israel's thriving hacking industry If this isn't scary enough, the Pegasus can monitor your location as well and record you via the phone's microphone. It can also access snapshots from the phone's camera and even capture the screen. Page-nine of the document lists out the benefits of Pegasus. Watch: WION breaks down how Pegasus broke into WhatsApp × Hackers can get unlimited access to a target's mobile devices. They can intercept calls and data while tracking specific applications like Skype, Whatsapp, Viber, Facebook and even the Blackberry messenger. Pegasus is the ultimate cyber-surveillance tool as it can extract data and information without the victims even realising that they have been hacked. The Pegasus user manual proudly proclaims on page-10 that the spyware doesn't leave a trace on a device as it can self destruct to escape detection. Here is how it looks on the other side. If you are using Pegasus to spy on someone these are the tools that are available to you. All stolen data is organised neatly into a calendar styled preview. The hackers can create alerts to track certain activity and can also even choose to view any specific activities, like messages, location information or emails. There is a call log too. Once a victim is hacked, their phone calls can be monitored. There is an option to playback specific conversations. There is a dashboard to track location activity as well. A victim's movements are tracked by taking control of the GPS on the phone it is represented on the map with location markers.

Explainer: NSO spygate row - How Pegasus broke into WhatsApp

After WhatsApp Hacking Scandal Explodes, NSO Group Goes Underground.

Gravitas: WION World Exclusive: NSO Group Goes Underground

Charting The Size, Prominence & The Reach Of Israel's Cyber Industry.

Gravitas: The Story Of Israel's Cyber Industry

WhatsApp Snooping Row: Who's The Culprit?

WION Edit: WhatsApp Row: A Week Later,  Many Questions Remain Unanswered!

The Story Of NSO Group, The Firm At The Heart Of The WhatsApp Snooping Scandal.

Gravitas: Inside The NSO Group, The Firm That Breached WhatsApp's Walls

WION: 1st Indian channel reports from NSO headquarters. Watch video to know more.

Exclusive: WION's Daniele reports from NSO headquarters on Whatsapp snoopgate

A plea was filed on Monday in the Supreme Court seeking NIA investigation and lodging of FIR against Facebook, WhatsApp, and NSO Group under the provisions of the Information Technology (IT) Act and the Indian Penal Code for allegedly violating fundamental privacy of Indians. 
 
RSS Idealogue KN Govindacharya filed the petition seeking a direction to initiate perjury proceedings against WhatsApp for allegedly misleading apex court in a case by claiming that users data is fully encrypted and no one including WhatsApp has the key. 
 
The plea was filed in the wake of reports about WhatsApp's revelation that some journalists, lawyers and human rights activists were spied upon using a surveillance technology developed by Israel-based NSO Group. 
 
Govindacharya also sought protection and enforcement of the fundamental right of privacy of crores of Indians, which is being violated by illegal surveillance being carried out by Apps and Internet Companies.

A plea was filed on Monday in the Supreme Court seeking NIA investigation and lodging of FIR against Facebook, WhatsApp, and NSO Group under the provisions of the Information Technology (IT) Act and the Indian Penal Code for allegedly violating fundamental privacy of Indians.

A plea was filed on Monday in the Supreme Court seeking NIA investigation and lodging of FIR against Facebook, WhatsApp, and NSO Group under the provisions of the Information Technology (IT) Act and the Indian Penal Code for allegedly violating fundamental privacy of Indians. RSS Idealogue KN Govindacharya filed the petition seeking a direction to initiate perjury proceedings against WhatsApp for allegedly misleading apex court in a case by claiming that users data is fully encrypted and no one including WhatsApp has the key. The plea was filed in the wake of reports about WhatsApp's revelation that some journalists, lawyers and human rights activists were spied upon using a surveillance technology developed by Israel-based NSO Group. Govindacharya also sought protection and enforcement of the fundamental right of privacy of crores of Indians, which is being violated by illegal surveillance being carried out by Apps and Internet Companies.

Plea filed in SC seeking NIA investigation against WhatsApp, others for snooping

WION tracks down Israeli Firm NSO and breaks down how Pegasus broke into WhatsApp. WION is first Indian Channel at NSO office.

WION breaks down how Pegasus broke into WhatsApp

Whatsapp on Sunday replied to the Indian Government's notice on Israeli firm's spyware Pegasus. Countering the Information and Technology (IT)&nbsp;Ministry's claim, the Facebook-owned entity said that it had alerted the government about the privacy breach in September.

Whatsapp said that it had informed the government that the privacy of 121 Indians was breached in September.

This, apart from the alert that it had sent to the IT Ministry in May&nbsp;this year.

However, the government said that while it did receive some communication from WhatsApp in the past, the alert was too vague and technical and did not specify the nature of the impact.

Journalists, activists and diplomats were targeted in the inter-continental spyware attack. WION's Siddhant Sibbal was also among those who were targeted.

Following this, the IT ministry had sought a detailed response from the messaging app saying that the Indian government was not informed about the hacks.

Remember, the Indian government had said that the messaging app failed to raise the snooping issue in august when the IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad held meetings with top Whatsapp bosses.&nbsp;

The meetings were held after WhatsApp rumours were blamed for spreading misinformation in the backdrop of lynchings in India.

The case only came to light last week, when Whatsapp filed a lawsuit against the Israeli firm NSO over the pegasus spyware.

However, concerns over the snoop gate were raised back in March.

In March 2019, affected Indians began receiving suspicious missed calls.

Whatsapp first flagged the breach in may this year.

The IT ministry issued a notification about the vulnerability in the same month.

Whatsapp on Sunday replied to the Indian Government's notice on Israeli firm's spyware Pegasus. Countering the Information and Technology (IT) Ministry's claim, the Facebook-owned entity said that it had alerted the government about the privacy breach in September.

Whatsapp on Sunday replied to the Indian Government's notice on Israeli firm's spyware Pegasus. Countering the Information and Technology (IT) Ministry's claim, the Facebook-owned entity said that it had alerted the government about the privacy breach in September. Whatsapp said that it had informed the government that the privacy of 121 Indians was breached in September. This, apart from the alert that it had sent to the IT Ministry in May this year. However, the government said that while it did receive some communication from WhatsApp in the past, the alert was too vague and technical and did not specify the nature of the impact. Journalists, activists and diplomats were targeted in the inter-continental spyware attack. WION's Siddhant Sibbal was also among those who were targeted. Following this, the IT ministry had sought a detailed response from the messaging app saying that the Indian government was not informed about the hacks. Remember, the Indian government had said that the messaging app failed to raise the snooping issue in august when the IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad held meetings with top Whatsapp bosses. The meetings were held after WhatsApp rumours were blamed for spreading misinformation in the backdrop of lynchings in India. The case only came to light last week, when Whatsapp filed a lawsuit against the Israeli firm NSO over the pegasus spyware. However, concerns over the snoop gate were raised back in March. In March 2019, affected Indians began receiving suspicious missed calls. Whatsapp first flagged the breach in may this year. The IT ministry issued a notification about the vulnerability in the same month.

Whatsapp replies to government; says alerted about privacy breach in September

Facebook-owned WhatsApp on Thursday said Indian journalists and human rights activists were among those globally spied upon by unnamed entities using an Israeli spyware Pegasus.

Are there any alternatives to Whatsapp?

The Congress on Sunday claimed that its party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra`s phone was also hacked during a recent spyware attack on several journalists and human rights activists.

Last week, Facebook, the parent company of WhatsApp, alleged that Israeli cyber security company NSO used WhatsApp servers to spread spyware Pegasus.

"When WhatsApp sent messages to all those whose phones were hacked, one such message was also received by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra," said Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala in a press conference on being asked about NCP leader Praful Patel and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee receiving messages from the Facebook-owned messaging platform.

Surjewala, however, did not mention when exactly Priyanka received the message.

Amid the raging controversy, the government has asked WhatsApp to come out with an explanation on the breach of privacy and list out measures that have been taken to safeguard the privacy of millions of Indians.

This comes a day after Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi dubbed the snooping on activists, journalists and political persons as illegal, alleging that the government acquired an Israeli software to spy on citizens.

According to reports, WhatsApp revealed that journalists and activists in India have been the target of surveillance by operators using the Israeli spyware Pegasus.

The messaging platform said that it had reached out to the people who were targeted but declined to reveal the identities and "exact number" of those who were targeted.The messaging company stated that it remains committed to protecting all messages of its users. 
&nbsp;

The Congress on Sunday claimed that its party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra`s phone was also hacked during a recent spyware attack on several journalists and human rights activists.

The Congress on Sunday claimed that its party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra`s phone was also hacked during a recent spyware attack on several journalists and human rights activists. Last week, Facebook, the parent company of WhatsApp, alleged that Israeli cyber security company NSO used WhatsApp servers to spread spyware Pegasus. "When WhatsApp sent messages to all those whose phones were hacked, one such message was also received by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra," said Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala in a press conference on being asked about NCP leader Praful Patel and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee receiving messages from the Facebook-owned messaging platform. Surjewala, however, did not mention when exactly Priyanka received the message. Amid the raging controversy, the government has asked WhatsApp to come out with an explanation on the breach of privacy and list out measures that have been taken to safeguard the privacy of millions of Indians. This comes a day after Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi dubbed the snooping on activists, journalists and political persons as illegal, alleging that the government acquired an Israeli software to spy on citizens. According to reports, WhatsApp revealed that journalists and activists in India have been the target of surveillance by operators using the Israeli spyware Pegasus. The messaging platform said that it had reached out to the people who were targeted but declined to reveal the identities and "exact number" of those who were targeted.The messaging company stated that it remains committed to protecting all messages of its users.

Snooping row: Priyanka Gandhi's phone also hacked, claims Congress

WhatsApp Responds to Government Statement and has also rejected the claims by the government.

WhatsApp Snoopgate: WhatsApp replies to Indian Government

India denies WhatsApp hack amid outrage. To know more watch the video

NSO-WhatsApp snoopgate: Indian government denies WhatsApp claims

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has demanded the central government to summon Israel's ambassador over the alleged role of Israeli spyware Pegasus for 'snooping'&nbsp;on Indian citizens through WhatsApp.

"We have learned that there is a company from Israel that can get access to your WhatsApp account. They can listen to the conversations you have in your homes. The government should summon Israel's ambassador and ask him about it, instead of questioning WhatsApp," Owaisi said at an event on Saturday.

The central government has already clarified its stand on the matter.

Union information technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had said that the government is concerned at the breach of privacy of citizens of India on WhatsApp and has sought a detailed explanation from the messaging platform.

Meanwhile, speaking further at the event, Owaisi also slammed the Centre over issues of unemployment and poverty in the country while outlining the problems of TSRTC drivers in Telangana.

"The state of poverty and employment is such that drivers who went to their homes on Dussehra drove TSRTC buses when they were offered Rs 200 more," he said. "There is an economic slowdown in the country. People are worried and our Prime Minister is in Thailand," he added. Owaisi also spoke on the proposed signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) free trade agreement, submitting that it would have serious effects on the milk industry. The AIMIM leader said: "They (the government) are going to sign RCEP agreement. I want to warn milk traders to be prepared that if Prime Minister signs RCEP the milk powder will come in imports at less than half price."

Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that India remains committed to a comprehensive and balanced outcome of RCEP negotiations and seeks balance across goods, services and investments and also within each pillar.&nbsp;

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has demanded the central government to summon Israel's ambassador over the alleged role of Israeli spyware Pegasus for 'snooping' on Indian citizens through WhatsApp.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has demanded the central government to summon Israel's ambassador over the alleged role of Israeli spyware Pegasus for 'snooping' on Indian citizens through WhatsApp. "We have learned that there is a company from Israel that can get access to your WhatsApp account. They can listen to the conversations you have in your homes. The government should summon Israel's ambassador and ask him about it, instead of questioning WhatsApp," Owaisi said at an event on Saturday. The central government has already clarified its stand on the matter. Union information technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had said that the government is concerned at the breach of privacy of citizens of India on WhatsApp and has sought a detailed explanation from the messaging platform. Meanwhile, speaking further at the event, Owaisi also slammed the Centre over issues of unemployment and poverty in the country while outlining the problems of TSRTC drivers in Telangana. "The state of poverty and employment is such that drivers who went to their homes on Dussehra drove TSRTC buses when they were offered Rs 200 more," he said. "There is an economic slowdown in the country. People are worried and our Prime Minister is in Thailand," he added. Owaisi also spoke on the proposed signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) free trade agreement, submitting that it would have serious effects on the milk industry. The AIMIM leader said: "They (the government) are going to sign RCEP agreement. I want to warn milk traders to be prepared that if Prime Minister signs RCEP the milk powder will come in imports at less than half price." Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that India remains committed to a comprehensive and balanced outcome of RCEP negotiations and seeks balance across goods, services and investments and also within each pillar.

Owaisi attacks Centre over WhatsApp snooping allegations

Activists, lawyers, journalists & diplomats were targets of the WhatsApp hack. As the story continues to evolve, another major data breach has come to the fore. Reports suggest that debit, credit data of customers are up for sale in dark web.

Gravitas: Not just WhatsApp, even credit & debit card data of users stolen!

Lebanon's president Thursday said the country's next cabinet should include ministers picked on skills, not political affiliation, seemingly endorsing a demand by a two-week-old protest movement for a technocratic government.

Michel Aoun's speech came as Lebanese protesters tried to block reopened roads and prevent their unprecedented non-sectarian push for radical reform from petering out.

It followed the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri's government on Tuesday which had been met with cheers from crowds seeking the removal of a political class seen as corrupt, incompetent and sectarian.

"Ministers should be selected based on their qualifications and experience, not their political loyalties," Aoun said in a televised speech on the third anniversary of his presidency, pledging also to combat corruption and enact serious reforms.&nbsp;

But his speech was met with disdain by demonstrators in central Beirut who, in response to his words, chanted the popular refrain of the 2011 Arab uprisings: 'The people demand the fall of the regime.'

Nihmat Badreddine, an activist, said the president's promises were "good in theory."

"But there is no mechanism for implementation... and there is no deadline," she said, expressing fears of a stalled process. &nbsp;

Sparked on October 17 by a proposed tax on free calls made through messaging apps such as WhatsApp, the protests have morphed into a cross-sectarian street mobilisation against an entire political class that has remained largely unchanged since the end of the country's 1975-1990 civil war. &nbsp;

Some schools have reopened this week and banks were due to reopen on Friday, as the protests piled more economic pressure on a country that has been sliding towards debt default in recent months.

'Dangerous crossroads'

Key members of the outgoing government, including the Shiite Hezbollah movement and the Christian president's Free Patriotic Movement, have warned repeatedly against the chaos a government resignation could cause.

"Lebanon is at a dangerous crossroad, especially with regards to the economy," Aoun said on Thursday.

"So there is a dire need for a harmonious government that can be efficient without getting tangled in political disputes."

Aoun has asked Hariri's government to stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new one can be formed, but Lebanon has entered a phase of acute political uncertainty, even by its own dysfunctional standards.

With a power-sharing system organised along communal and sectarian lines, the allocation of ministerial posts can typically take months, a delay Lebanon's donors say the debt-saddled country can ill afford.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said it was "essential for Lebanon's future that a new government be formed rapidly to carry out the reforms that the country needs".

The new government would need to "address the legitimate aspirations expressed by Lebanese and take the decisions indispensable to the country's economic recovery", he said.

Consultations for the formation of a new government have not yet started, such is the rift between Hariri and his coalition rivals, according to a political source involved in discussions.

The source said that consultations are scheduled to begin on Monday.&nbsp;

'Out of the question'

Aoun was thought to be insisting on keeping his son-in-law Gebran Bassil, who is Lebanon's foreign minister and one of the most reviled figures among protesters, in government.

But "a technocratic government is a possibility," political analyst Amal Saad-Ghorayeb said.

"It would have to ensure a short-term stabilisation of the economy, which has spiralled out of control these past weeks, while ensuring economic reforms pass quickly, otherwise mass protests will erupt once again," she added.

The fall of the government under pressure from the street had led to an easing of the lockdown that has crippled the country of six million inhabitants.

While some life returned to Beirut and other cities this week, die-hard protesters were reluctant to lose one of the few forms of leverage they have to press demands that go far beyond the cabinet's resignation.

"Giving up is out of the question," said Tarek Badoun, 38, one of a group of demonstrators blocking the main flyover in central Beirut.

The mass mobilisation, which has seen hundreds of thousands of protest nationwide, has so far been largely bloodless, despite sporadic scuffles with counter-demonstrators from the established political parties.

"We have decided to stay on the streets because we don't feel like the government is serious about speeding up the formation of a cabinet," said Mohammad, 39, who was demonstrating near the northern city of Tripoli.&nbsp;

Lebanon's president Thursday said the country's next cabinet should include ministers picked on skills, not political affiliation, seemingly endorsing a demand by a two-week-old protest movement for a technocratic government.

Lebanon's president Thursday said the country's next cabinet should include ministers picked on skills, not political affiliation, seemingly endorsing a demand by a two-week-old protest movement for a technocratic government. Michel Aoun's speech came as Lebanese protesters tried to block reopened roads and prevent their unprecedented non-sectarian push for radical reform from petering out. It followed the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri's government on Tuesday which had been met with cheers from crowds seeking the removal of a political class seen as corrupt, incompetent and sectarian. "Ministers should be selected based on their qualifications and experience, not their political loyalties," Aoun said in a televised speech on the third anniversary of his presidency, pledging also to combat corruption and enact serious reforms. But his speech was met with disdain by demonstrators in central Beirut who, in response to his words, chanted the popular refrain of the 2011 Arab uprisings: 'The people demand the fall of the regime.' Nihmat Badreddine, an activist, said the president's promises were "good in theory." "But there is no mechanism for implementation... and there is no deadline," she said, expressing fears of a stalled process. Sparked on October 17 by a proposed tax on free calls made through messaging apps such as WhatsApp, the protests have morphed into a cross-sectarian street mobilisation against an entire political class that has remained largely unchanged since the end of the country's 1975-1990 civil war. Some schools have reopened this week and banks were due to reopen on Friday, as the protests piled more economic pressure on a country that has been sliding towards debt default in recent months. 'Dangerous crossroads' Key members of the outgoing government, including the Shiite Hezbollah movement and the Christian president's Free Patriotic Movement, have warned repeatedly against the chaos a government resignation could cause. "Lebanon is at a dangerous crossroad, especially with regards to the economy," Aoun said on Thursday. "So there is a dire need for a harmonious government that can be efficient without getting tangled in political disputes." Aoun has asked Hariri's government to stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new one can be formed, but Lebanon has entered a phase of acute political uncertainty, even by its own dysfunctional standards. With a power-sharing system organised along communal and sectarian lines, the allocation of ministerial posts can typically take months, a delay Lebanon's donors say the debt-saddled country can ill afford. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said it was "essential for Lebanon's future that a new government be formed rapidly to carry out the reforms that the country needs". The new government would need to "address the legitimate aspirations expressed by Lebanese and take the decisions indispensable to the country's economic recovery", he said. Consultations for the formation of a new government have not yet started, such is the rift between Hariri and his coalition rivals, according to a political source involved in discussions. The source said that consultations are scheduled to begin on Monday. 'Out of the question' Aoun was thought to be insisting on keeping his son-in-law Gebran Bassil, who is Lebanon's foreign minister and one of the most reviled figures among protesters, in government. But "a technocratic government is a possibility," political analyst Amal Saad-Ghorayeb said. "It would have to ensure a short-term stabilisation of the economy, which has spiralled out of control these past weeks, while ensuring economic reforms pass quickly, otherwise mass protests will erupt once again," she added. The fall of the government under pressure from the street had led to an easing of the lockdown that has crippled the country of six million inhabitants. While some life returned to Beirut and other cities this week, die-hard protesters were reluctant to lose one of the few forms of leverage they have to press demands that go far beyond the cabinet's resignation. "Giving up is out of the question," said Tarek Badoun, 38, one of a group of demonstrators blocking the main flyover in central Beirut. The mass mobilisation, which has seen hundreds of thousands of protest nationwide, has so far been largely bloodless, despite sporadic scuffles with counter-demonstrators from the established political parties. "We have decided to stay on the streets because we don't feel like the government is serious about speeding up the formation of a cabinet," said Mohammad, 39, who was demonstrating near the northern city of Tripoli.

Lebanon president calls for merit-based government, in nod to protesters

At the centre of the WhatsApp hack is Pegasus - a superweapon that can completely take over your phone. WION accessed the user manual of Pegasus. Have an insight into the ultimate snooping weapon.

Gravitas: The WhatsApp hack — What is the Pegasus?

The list of victims of the Whatsapp hack is growing. Smartphones of 41 Indians were compromised. But all parties involved - from WhatsApp to the NSO group and the government - are passing the buck.

Gravitas: WhatsApp snooping scandal gets bigger, 41 Indians now on the victims list

Data leaks don't bother you? Think Again how a hacker can ruin your life. But, there are many who won't be concerned about it.

WION Edit: Data leaks don't bother you? Think Again

Watch in WION Dispatch: Govt held two meetings with WhatsApp over spyware, it could be itself part of the conspiracy. Only names of govt critics have been surfaced. Watch this video to know more.

Govt sources: Govt held two meetings with WhatsApp, it could be itself part of conspiracy | WION Dispatch

Senior&nbsp;government&nbsp;officials&nbsp;in multiple US-allied countries were&nbsp;targeted&nbsp;earlier this year with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-israel-spyware-firm-nso-operates-in-shadowy-cyber-world-218782">hacking&nbsp;software</a> that used Facebook Inc's&nbsp;WhatsApp&nbsp;to take over users' phones, according to people familiar with the messaging company's investigation.

Sources&nbsp;familiar with&nbsp;WhatsApp’s internal investigation into the breach said a “significant” portion of the known victims are high-profile&nbsp;government&nbsp;and military&nbsp;officials&nbsp;spread across at least 20 countries on five continents. Many of the nations are US&nbsp;allies, they said.

The&nbsp;hacking&nbsp;of a wider group of top&nbsp;government&nbsp;officials' smartphones than previously reported suggests the&nbsp;WhatsApp&nbsp;cyber intrusion could have broad political and diplomatic consequences.

WhatsApp&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/whatsapp-sues-israels-nso-for-alleged-cyber-espionage-targeting-civil-society-worldwide-258713">filed a lawsuit</a> on Tuesday against Israeli&nbsp;hacking&nbsp;tool developer NSO Group. The Facebook-owned software giant alleges that NSO Group built and sold a&nbsp;hacking&nbsp;platform that exploited a flaw in&nbsp;WhatsApp-owned servers to help clients hack into the cellphones of at least 1,400 users between April 29, 2019, and May 10, 2019.

The total number of&nbsp;WhatsApp&nbsp;users hacked could be even higher. A London-based human rights lawyer, who was among the targets, sent Reuters photographs showing attempts to break into his phone dating back to April 1.

While it is not clear who used the software to hack&nbsp;officials' phones, NSO has said it sells its spyware exclusively to&nbsp;government&nbsp;customers.

Some victims are in the United States, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Mexico, Pakistan and India, said people familiar with the investigation.&nbsp;Reuters could not verify whether the&nbsp;government&nbsp;officials&nbsp;were from those countries or elsewhere.

Some Indian nationals have gone public with allegations they were among the targets over the past couple of days; they include journalists, academics, lawyers and defenders of India's Dalit community.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-nso-secretly-transmitted-malicious-code-to-infect-phones-with-spyware-258836">NSO</a> said in a statement that it was "not able to disclose who is or is not a client or discuss specific uses of its technology." Previously it has denied any wrongdoing, saying its products are only meant to help&nbsp;governments catch terrorists and criminals.

Cybersecurity researchers have cast doubt on those claims over the years, saying NSO products were used against a wide range of targets, including protesters in countries under authoritarian rule.

Citizen Lab, an independent watchdog group that worked with&nbsp;WhatsApp&nbsp;to identify the&nbsp;hacking&nbsp;targets, said on Tuesday at least 100 of the victims were civil society figures such as journalists and dissidents, not criminals.

John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab, said it was not surprising that foreign&nbsp;officials&nbsp;would be&nbsp;targeted&nbsp;as well.

“It is an open secret that many technologies branded for law enforcement investigations are used for state-on-state and political espionage,” Scott-Railton said.

Prior to notifying victims,&nbsp;WhatsApp&nbsp;checked the target list against existing law enforcement requests for information relating to criminal investigations, such as terrorism or child exploitation cases. But the company found no overlap, said a person familiar with the matter.&nbsp;Governments can submit such requests for information to&nbsp;WhatsApp&nbsp;through&nbsp;an online portal the company maintains.

WhatsApp&nbsp;has said it sent warning notifications to affected users earlier this week. The company has declined to comment on the identities of NSO Group's clients, who ultimately chose the targets.

Senior government officials in multiple US-allied countries were targeted earlier this year with hacking software that used Facebook Inc's WhatsApp to take over users' phones, according to people familiar with the messaging company's investigation.

Senior government officials in multiple US-allied countries were targeted earlier this year with hacking software that used Facebook Inc's WhatsApp to take over users' phones, according to people familiar with the messaging company's investigation. Sources familiar with WhatsApp’s internal investigation into the breach said a “significant” portion of the known victims are high-profile government and military officials spread across at least 20 countries on five continents. Many of the nations are US allies, they said. The hacking of a wider group of top government officials' smartphones than previously reported suggests the WhatsApp cyber intrusion could have broad political and diplomatic consequences. WhatsApp filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against Israeli hacking tool developer NSO Group. The Facebook-owned software giant alleges that NSO Group built and sold a hacking platform that exploited a flaw in WhatsApp-owned servers to help clients hack into the cellphones of at least 1,400 users between April 29, 2019, and May 10, 2019. The total number of WhatsApp users hacked could be even higher. A London-based human rights lawyer, who was among the targets, sent Reuters photographs showing attempts to break into his phone dating back to April 1. While it is not clear who used the software to hack officials' phones, NSO has said it sells its spyware exclusively to government customers. Some victims are in the United States, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Mexico, Pakistan and India, said people familiar with the investigation. Reuters could not verify whether the government officials were from those countries or elsewhere. Some Indian nationals have gone public with allegations they were among the targets over the past couple of days; they include journalists, academics, lawyers and defenders of India's Dalit community. NSO said in a statement that it was "not able to disclose who is or is not a client or discuss specific uses of its technology." Previously it has denied any wrongdoing, saying its products are only meant to help governments catch terrorists and criminals. Cybersecurity researchers have cast doubt on those claims over the years, saying NSO products were used against a wide range of targets, including protesters in countries under authoritarian rule. Citizen Lab, an independent watchdog group that worked with WhatsApp to identify the hacking targets, said on Tuesday at least 100 of the victims were civil society figures such as journalists and dissidents, not criminals. John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab, said it was not surprising that foreign officials would be targeted as well. “It is an open secret that many technologies branded for law enforcement investigations are used for state-on-state and political espionage,” Scott-Railton said. Prior to notifying victims, WhatsApp checked the target list against existing law enforcement requests for information relating to criminal investigations, such as terrorism or child exploitation cases. But the company found no overlap, said a person familiar with the matter. Governments can submit such requests for information to WhatsApp through an online portal the company maintains. WhatsApp has said it sent warning notifications to affected users earlier this week. The company has declined to comment on the identities of NSO Group's clients, who ultimately chose the targets.

Government officials around the globe targeted for hacking through WhatsApp: Report

The Indian government has asked WhatsApp for an explanation on the snowballing snooping scandal.

The information technology ministry has asked for a detailed response from WhatsApp on the issue of Israeli spyware that allegedly targeted Indian journalists and human rights activists through its platform.

The ministry has written to the Facebook-owned messaging company, seeking its response on the matter.

Facebook owned-WhatsApp had earlier confirmed that Indian journalists and human rights activists were among those globally spied upon by Israeli spyware called Pegasus.

The journalists and activists are believed to have been targets of surveillance for two weeks until May when the national election was held.

The users were informed about the hacking spree just before Facebook sued the Israeli cybersecurity company NSO on Tuesday. WhatsApp's parent company Facebook has alleged that NSO had spread malware to around one thousand and four hundred users across twenty countries.

However, it did not say on whose behest the phones of journalists and activists across the world were targeted.

India's technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has put out a tweet explaining the govt position on the WhatsApp spyware attack controversy. The minister has said that WhatsApp has been asked to explain the nature of the breach and the steps being taken to protect the privacy of Indians using the social media platform.

He has gone on to say that there is a proper procedure &amp; protocols in place for an interception which needs sanction from senior-level authorities for clearly stated reasons for national interests.

Now, WhatsApp has been asked to submit a reply by November 4.

WhatsApp has over 1.5 billion users globally, of which India alone has accounted for about 400 million users.

The Indian government has asked WhatsApp for an explanation on the snowballing snooping scandal. The information technology ministry has asked for a detailed response from WhatsApp on the issue of Israeli spyware that allegedly targeted Indian journalists and human rights activists through its platform.

The Indian government has asked WhatsApp for an explanation on the snowballing snooping scandal. The information technology ministry has asked for a detailed response from WhatsApp on the issue of Israeli spyware that allegedly targeted Indian journalists and human rights activists through its platform. The ministry has written to the Facebook-owned messaging company, seeking its response on the matter. Facebook owned-WhatsApp had earlier confirmed that Indian journalists and human rights activists were among those globally spied upon by Israeli spyware called Pegasus. The journalists and activists are believed to have been targets of surveillance for two weeks until May when the national election was held. The users were informed about the hacking spree just before Facebook sued the Israeli cybersecurity company NSO on Tuesday. WhatsApp's parent company Facebook has alleged that NSO had spread malware to around one thousand and four hundred users across twenty countries. However, it did not say on whose behest the phones of journalists and activists across the world were targeted. India's technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has put out a tweet explaining the govt position on the WhatsApp spyware attack controversy. The minister has said that WhatsApp has been asked to explain the nature of the breach and the steps being taken to protect the privacy of Indians using the social media platform. He has gone on to say that there is a proper procedure & protocols in place for an interception which needs sanction from senior-level authorities for clearly stated reasons for national interests. Now, WhatsApp has been asked to submit a reply by November 4. WhatsApp has over 1.5 billion users globally, of which India alone has accounted for about 400 million users.

Government asks explanation from WhatsApp over Israeli Spyware Pegasus

Application WhatsApp was used to hack smartphones. The journalists, activists, Diplomats are among the victims. NSO Group was accused of using WhatsApp to hack phones. Indian Government sends notice to WhatsApp.

Your Story: Indian Government sends notice to WhatsApp

Application WhatsApp was used to hack smartphones. The journalists, activists, Diplomats are among the victims. NSO Group was accused of using WhatsApp to hack phones. IT Ministry seeks WhatsApp's response on Spyware issue

Breaking News: IT Ministry seeks WhatsApp's response on Spyware issue

Application WhatsApp was used to hack smartphones. The journalists, activists, Diplomats are among the victims. NSO Group was accused of using WhatsApp to hack phones.

WhatsApp used to hack smartphones; WION correspondent also targeted

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